Christmas Dinner Menu

I host Christmas Day Dinner and it's just 8 of us. we do the huge traditional italian seafood/fish feast on Christmas Eve.

I usually do:

Antipasto, Some apps, Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
Usually a stuffed pasta (ravioli, stuffed shells, manicotti, etc) & Chicken Parm
Ham & 2/3 veggie sides, Green Salad

It's too much food and too much work- I want to enjoy the day. I think I want to change it up.

Still have to do the Antipasto and Pasta (crazy italian family) But, I'm going to do homemade ricotta gnocchi which are lighter and I'm thinking a roast, or filet mignon or something. Still make veggies & salad.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Re: Christmas Dinner Menu

Whatever is easiest to cook IMO! Will the home made gnocchi take a lot of time to prepare? If so I'd probably just go with an easier pasta dish like baked ziti or lasagna with the no boil noodles. I actually think a spiral ham is easier to cook vs. a roast.

Christmas Dinner Menu

I’m hosting Christmas day also but only for 6 people, and I’m trying to figure out my menu too. I don’t want to cook too much and have it be a more relaxed day.

Re: Christmas Dinner Menu

I made a prime rib last year; so this year I want to do without.


Antipasto
Crudite Veggie Wreath (very excited to make this)
Cheese Platter


Rigatoni a la vodka

Chicken Parm
Sausage and peppers w/ cubed potatoes
Ham
Brussells w/ bacon
And either buttered Carrots or broccoli

Re: Christmas Dinner Menu

I make the same on Xmas Day.

I make all of my sauce in advance and freeze in containers. I also prepare my manicotti ahead of time and I freeze them in metal pans, single layer, no sauce. When I am ready to bake them I pull them of the freezer, top with sauce and bake.

I make my spiral ham in the Crock-Pot, so easy and needs really no attention.

I also make all of my sausage and meatballs ahead of time, freeze them in sauce and them thaw at room temp on Xmas Day and toss in a big pot to warm up.

I also prep all of my antipasto ahead of time so all I have to do it pull the tray out of the fridge and serve.

Honestly, it's SO easy if you make it all ahead of time. It tastes just as fresh and delicious but you're not stuck in the kitchen all day.

Re: Christmas Dinner Menu

Message edited 12/13/2019 5:20:49 PM.

Christmas Dinner Menu

I don't know how you would get much simpler...that would not be nearly enough food at all for my family, but we are Italian, lol. The only way to make it easier would be to cater it.

Re: Christmas Dinner Menu

Sometimes I wish we had eight people

(Not that I could cook- it’s pathetic)

We have 40 people here. I order some things , my parents make other things, there’s food everywhere lol

Re: Christmas Dinner Menu

I used to always do pasta etc. and then ham and sides and honestly it was just too much (work and food). By the time we finished the pasta etc. we were all pretty full and couldn't eat dessert. This year I'm making my life easier. I'm going the italian route and skipping the whole ham/sides. AND I'm going to make half and cater half! I love to cook for people but find it very stressful and I never get to fully enjoy myself. This year I'm doing...

- stromboli
-spinach/broccoli flat bread
- Sauce with meatballs, sausage and braciole
- baked ziti or stuffed shells
- chicken parm
- eggplant "meatballs"
- grilled veggies or salad of some kind
- garlic bread

Also going to add one more thing but not sure what yet. I have a few vegetarians coming so want to make sure I accommodate them too.

Re: Christmas Dinner Menu

I don’t think homemade gnocchi is time consuming. Make that and do a gnocchi bake with sauce and mozzarella.

It just me and SO for Xmas, maybe his mother.

I’m doing shrimp cocktail and an antipasto for an app.

Main course is duck filets, potato dumplings, carrots, and red cabbage With a sauce.

Dessert is creme brûlée. Maybe some fruit and walnuts.

Since you want something easy, I’d do antipasto, gnocchi bake, and maybe chicken francaise.

Cookies and pastries for dessert.

Message edited 12/14/2019 8:53:51 PM.

Christmas Dinner Menu

We decided on:
Antipasto & some other apps
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Ricotta Gnocchi

Filet Mignon
Cornish Game Hens
A few veggie sides (whichever look good when I'm shopping)
Green Salad

This is easier, because I'll make the sauce ahead of time & freeze. The gnocchi will be made and frozen too. Then I can just put the filet and Hens in the oven and it's not too much prep. Seems easier than the chicken parm, still gives two meat choices and is something is a little different.

I do prep ahead of time, but I'm limited because we are in Pennsylvania on Christmas Eve- so I can't do anything the day before, it needs to be 2 days.

Message edited 12/16/2019 10:54:48 AM.

Re: Christmas Dinner Menu

Have you done gnocchi before? The ricotta gnocchi is a step up from regular gnocchi and takes a bit more time.

Otherwise, your menu looks great!

Christmas Dinner Menu

I’ve learned to keep it simple because I want to enjoy the holidays. I do one thing with sides and try to make/prep as much ahead of time. I always have plenty of food but not a large variety. If your unhappy with the selection you can host next year...